She gave him a beautiful, angelic smile, her lip quivering as she tried to say something else. Her eyes fluttered and she passed out in his arms before she could utter another word.
Xivthar felt a shark bump against his leg and knew it was only a matter of time before one would bite into him. He couldn't carry her unconscious body and fight them off.
“Noruma, forgive me for this,” he said, then charged up, hitting Sylvie with the smallest charge he could.
“Ouch!” she said, her voice weak but her eyes opening.
“Baby, hold on to my neck and don't let go. I'll try to stay close to the surface, but if we're going to get out of this, then we have to fight.”
She slid around to his back and wrapped her legs around his waist. X tucked his head under the water so he could see more clearly.
Soon he was losing blood from dozens of places, his arms and legs so tired he didn't know how much longer he could go on.Do it for her.He pushed himself, his protective instinct forcing him to continue moving forward.
The major swam up beside him as they made it to the shore, the sharks moving in with vicious intent. How neither of them fell prey to the massive beasts was beyond him.
Hands grabbed him, and suddenly he was being yanked from the water. Dozens of Zantharians had climbed down to the water's edge and were pulling him and Sylvie from the water and bringing them onto shore. The major was pulled out right beside them, and none too soon. The older man had a giant gash in his calf that seemed to have caused great amounts of blood loss.
Xivthar pulled Sylvie in his arms. She was paler than ever, her eyes closed, her mouth in a thin white line.
“Sylvie? You're going to be all right, baby.” He laid her down on the shore and looked her over just to solidify his hopes.
There was a large bite in her leg that was seeping blood.That’s why she looks like death is at her door.
“Medic!” he screamed. “I want a medic down here immediately!”
Although medics weren't usually employed for executions, he knew there had to be someone with medical training in the crowd. A few people started descending from the arena stands and fighting their way forward. Two dropped down beside the major, another three hurrying to his side.
“Help her,” he said. “Whatever it takes. She must not die!”
The arena was silent, the crowd unsure of how to react. In the long history of executions, no one had ever made it out of the gnarshark pool.
Loads of people stood around, none of them showing anger or malcontent at the moment. It would have been a relief if Sylvie hadn’t looked so bad. A squad of guards ran toward them, some brandishing short swords, and a few with blasters.
The major stood with the assistance of his medics, despite their advice not to. He yelled to the leader of the squadron, calling him up short.
“The Supreme Regent is innocent of the charges against him,” he told the lieutenant leading the squad.
“I have orders from the Supreme Regent to take this man into custody,” the lieutenant replied.
“The Acting Supreme Regent is a Hareema plant!” Xivthar bellowed. “I wanthimtaken into custody immediately!”
The squadron floundered, unsure of whose orders to follow. The major pointed to the dais, then back to Sylvie. “That creature is a Hareema agent. This is the real Earthling. You know Hareema don't imitate the inner workings of creatures, just the outer. That means no blood, and you can clearly see her bleeding.”
“You're right,” the lieutenant said. He pulled up his mini-console and spoke to his superior. “They've taken the acting regent into custody.” He turned to Xivthar and bowed his head. “I'm sorry for doubting you, Sire.”
“It's understandable,” Xivthar replied. “Now bring my brother down here right away.”
Poolside at my own execution might not be the best place to unmask an enemy infiltrator,but I won't leave her side.Besides, all of our people need to see this, so that they can become aware of what we're facing.
Before long, his brother, Drake, was dragged down to him and pushed to his knees at Xivthar's feet.
“You Zantharians are more clever than I gave you credit for,” he said, eyeing the major. “But it matters not. We've already got a foothold on your planet. And the nasty little Earthling’s too.”
Xivthar scowled. “Where is my brother?”
“What gave me away?” the Hareema mimicking Drake said. “I thought I had you convinced.”
“You did, for a long time. You made a good choice in imitating my brother. He is the one person I trust implicitly, so I didn't question your behavior for the longest time. Except for one thing. Your color.”
